Feb. 6., 2004
A Dine-in, Love-in with your Valentine

MEMO TO    Lovers and Food-lovers
FROM:         Sherri and Graydon, The Connoisseur Up North
SUBJECT:   Dinner with your Valentine

Nothing's more romantic than a cozy winter evening at home by a warm fire with sweet aromas wafting from the kitchen. But who has time to slave over a hot stove all day? Fortunately, you can dazzle your lover with a sensuous evening of glorious romance at your own candle-lit table in your own flower-filled dining room without spending the day in the kitchen.

Here are some ways to leave the cooking to someone else while you concentrate on the ambience, poetry, and music. Northern Michigan has many interesting shops where we can treat ourselves to delicacies we seldom prepare at home. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you want.

DAZZLE the palate with exotic appetizers by the fire. Esperance in Charlevoix (231-237-9300) will create a tray for you or prepare one to your specifications. Among Proprietor Pram Acharya's suggestions: pickled, sweet-hot South African fruit called "Peppadews;" grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, an amazing variety of cheeses from around the world, and, for candy, a Vosges "Red Fire bar" of dark chocolate with ancho and chipotle chili. Pram can pair the perfect wine for your fireside feast, too.     

AMORE! Folgarelli's in Traverse City (231-941-7651) specializes in sensuous Italian foods, from prosciutto and papardelle to pesto and Parmesan.

SURPRISE your lover with some unusual fruits and vegetables from Meijer in Traverse City. Think quince, cactus pears, Maradol papayas, Fuyo persimmons, mangoes, blood oranges, pomegranates, chayote squash or Pul Qua.

SAVOR a ready-to cook delicacy from Burritt's in Traverse City (231-946-3300). Start with some mousse truffée pâté or mousse de foie de canard (that would be truffle or duck-liver pâté). Then maybe chicken cordon bleu or butternut squash agnolotti. The staff is eager to answer questions and give guidance.

FONDUE FOR TWO: Use creamy, melted raclette from Leelanau Cheese (231-271-2600) at Black Star Farm. Also available in many food shops.

CHERISH WITH CHOCOLATE from Mary's Kitchen Port, Murdick's Fudge, Kilwin's or Candy Wrappers at Sonny's Market in Eastport. What more is there to say? 

THE FULL MONTY! Phil Behling, owner and chef at Harbor Springs' Nutmeg (231-347-0712) will prepare you and your valentine the complete meal of your choice. You design it, and he'll cook it and provide a perfectly paired wine. He
asks three days' notice (well, five for fresh lobster).

PIQUE YOUR LOVER'S INTEREST with chicken piccata. Chef Janet Blair at Cornichons in Harbor Springs (231-242-0020) will prepare this (or any of her delightful dishes) on two days notice.

SWEETEN LIFE with a mini cheesecake for two at the Underground Cheesecake (406 S. Union St., Traverse City).

IF LOVE CAN'T WEIGHT, chef Karen Williams at Bay Harbor's Galley Gourmet (231-439-2665) will prepare a fabulous low-carb Valentine's dinner (supports the South Beach Diet). She suggests a roasted low-fat cut of meat or fish with sautéed greens underneath, and dessert of chocolate-dipped strawberries. If you're not dieting, Karen will even prepare a meal from your recipes if you call 48 hours ahead. Or you can build a dinner to go from the daily array of pre-cooked dishes. They're all ready to warm and plate.

TREAT YOUR SWEET to personal chef. For $100, Melissa Lutze of Thyme-Savor in Elk Rapids (231-264-9527 or www.thyme-savor.net) will come to your home and prepare the entire meal for two, Champagne included. She suggests starting with a cheese fondue of peppers, crusty bread, apples, and broccoli, followed by salad of spring greens, dried cherries, mandarin oranges, and raspberry vinaigrette. After an entrée of crab etoufée or mushroom-stuffed chicken with fruited white and wild rice, it'll be a frozen mocha toffee crunch. Discreet? You bet. She'll come a day or two in advance and leave the packaged meal with detailed instructions. When your Valentine arrives, it'll be just you and the night and the music.

WE DO NOT LOVE BY BREAD ALONE, but it helps. We suggest Ciabatta from Stone House (at most supermarkets) or Focaccia from Bay Bread Co. (601 Randolph St, Traverse City), or a sweet baguette from Crooked Tree Breadworks on M-119 in Petoskey.

MAKE MUSIC! The perfect CD is "Have You heard?" by the Traverse Symphony and Kevin Rhodes. It includes Gershwin's "An American in Paris" and Ravel's "Bolero." Get it at Horizon Books or the TSO office.

THE CASE FOR LOVE is available at Chateau Chantal (231-223-4110) where Jane will create a your personalized label for their wine, provided you buy 12 bottles.

BY FIRELIGHT after dinner, make it Peninsula Cellars' Chardonnay Dessert Wine or Black Star Farm's Cherry Port or pear eau de vie.

SEEK PERFECTION! Wine Country Market in Traverse City (935-1776) will scour the world for the wine you have in mind (like a certain Oregon Pinot Noir we'd been seeking in vain for months).

KISS AND MAKE UP with a bottle of "Peace," a serene Australian red from Folgarelli's Elk Rapids Wine Shop (231-264-9000), where Laura or Sue can always find just the thing for your special evening.

HAVE "SEX!" That's the name of L. Mawby's charming new, dry, sparkling rosé. It was made for nights like this. No instructions necessary.